Special Education/EIS

All states and territories must provide early intervention services to children who have, or are at risk for having, developmental delays, from birth to their third birthday.

Most CONUS locations, local school districts or health departments provide these early intervention services. The program is called different names in different areas, but it is often referred to as Part C because that is the section of the law that pertains to early intervention. The Education Directory for Children with Special Needs has a list of resources specific to each state to help you determine who you should contact. Your installation EFMP Family Support provider can also answer your questions.

If you are moving OCONUS or to a CONUS location with a DODEA school (and you live on installation), your child will receive EIS through the Defense Department’s Educational and Developmental Intervention Services, or EDIS, program.

When moving, you should hand carry copies of your child's most current individual family service plan, or IFSP, and the most current evaluation reports to your new home to ensure they are not lost.

All states and territories provide special education and related services to eligible children between the ages of 3 through 21.

When a child transfers to a different district in the same state, the new school must provide a free, appropriate public education, including comparable services, until the previously held IEP is adopted or a new one is developed and implemented. When a child transfers to another state, the receiving school must provide comparable services until an IEP review can determine if a new evaluation or IEP is appropriate.

If you are moving and your child receives special education and related services, you should hand carry all necessary school and medical documents, including the most current IEP and current evaluation reports. Hand carrying these documents ensures that they are not lost and allows the new school to begin the process as soon as you arrive.

• Education Directory for Children with Special Needs
• EFMP & Me digital tool
• Individualized Education Program & Moving
• Special Needs Parent Toolkit
• Special Needs Resources
• Exceptional Family Member Program videos

Exceptional Family Members

Personnel arriving with a family member that has special medical and/or educational needs should contact the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) Office as soon as possible. The FAP office will assist Families in the Special Needs Identification and Assignment Coordinator Process (SNIACP), formally known as the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). Enrollment is mandatory in this program. Contact the Family Advocacy Office at 586-282-0475 or 520-942-1963 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 pm for more information, to include referrals and information about WIC (Women, Infants, & Children), Expanded Food & Nutrition Program, Adult & Children's Protective Services, and Food Stamps. Respite care is also provided by the FAP, providing short term, temporary care of special needs family members. Respite allows primary care givers to have free time to take care of themselves and/or other appointments.

TRICARE Program for Persons with Disabilities

The Program for Persons with Disabilities (PFPWD) provides financial assistance to reduce the effects of mental retardation or a serious physical disability. It is not a stand-alone program; subject to certain restrictions, it may be used concurrently with other TRICARE medical programs. A TRICARE Service Center is located in Building 825 at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

Local Schools

In local school systems, students with disabilities may be educated in the regular classroom setting with modifications made as necessary. If you should require special needs services, contact School Liaison Officer for specific information in your local area school district at 586-282-9761 or stop by between 6:00 am and 5:30 pm at Building 273 at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, MI.